Eight of the Best Places to Eat in Disneyland
Are you going to be visiting Disneyland anytime soon? If so, don’t miss these incredible places to eat while you’re there. We break them down, so you can enjoy! Here are eight of the best Disneyland restaurants you won’t want to miss!
Ariel’s Grotto
Located right on Paradise Pier, Ariel’s Grotto represents a character dining experience for Disney Princess lovers. Ariel is joined by two of her four friends (Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, or Snow White) during each encounter. The restaurant is decorated to give guests the true feeling of being under the sea. Murals of underwater life are found on the walls and the carpet is covered in seashells and starfish. Ariel’s Grotto is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, although the princesses are not present in the evenings. Breakfast entrees include waffles, frittatas, and a breakfast sandwich, among others. Lunch and dinner offer roasted chicken breast, shrimp angel hair pasta, and various fish options. Children may choose from macaroni and cheese with an octopus shaped hot dog on top, a turkey sandwich, angel hair pasta, or chicken nuggets. Reservations can be made sixty days prior to dining.
Blue Bayou Restaurant
Disneyland’s Blue Bayou Restaurant, located in New Orleans Square, reflects the outdoor southern charm of the city itself. While enjoying unique Cajun dishes, guests will be able to watch passengers of Pirates of the Caribbean float by. The theming includes mossy trees, beautiful paper lanterns, and antique looking table settings. This table service restaurant is open during lunch and dinner. The lunch menu offers seafood jambalaya, flat iron steak, salmon, mushroom and Louisiana popcorn rice, and more. During dinner, guests will find filet mignon, rib eye, and a surf and turf combo added to the menu. Advance reservations are suggested, as this is a themed table service restaurant.
Café Orleans
Also located in New Orleans Square, Café Orleans offers a more laid back Big Easy dining experience. Somewhat similar to the Blue Bayou Restaurant, this casual dining option reflects tastes and theming of the French Quarter. The menu is a little broader, and is a great option if you are travelling with a large party. Guests may choose from entrees such as a Monte Cristo sandwich, salmon dishes, beef braised or chicken gumbo crepe, and a fried green tomato sandwich. The restaurant is complete with an outdoor patio, as well as a full air-conditioned indoor seating area. The table service restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and advance reservations are suggested.
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Carthay Circle represents one of the most exquisite dining room décor and menu Disneyland has to offer. It is themed after an old movie theater in Hollywood, complete with ticket windows and a full-service lounge. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the building and detailed with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs scenes. The menu begins with appetizers including duck wings, blue crab lettuce cups, fried biscuits, and tomato broth. For a main entree, guests are presented with varieties of salads, pastas, chicken, salmon, and a classic burger. Dinner includes additional choices of smoke roasted lamb top round, pork chop, risotto, and Angus beef rib eye. Carthay Circle Restaurant is located on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park and reservations are highly encouraged.
Napa Rose
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is home to the chic restaurant Napa Rose. Overlooking Disney’s California Adventure Park, the restaurant reflects the beauty of the arts and crafts trend found throughout California. Guests are invited to dine here without paying the price of park admission, as it is located outside of the parks. The extensive wine listing and food offerings have won multiple awards. Napa Rose is only open from 5:30 until 10 pm, and reservations can be made sixty days in advance. Starters consist of heirloom beets, pacific blue shrimp, salads, and veal-filled agnolotti, to name a few. P roast, filet mignon, pork chops, lamb rack, and pan-roasted trout can be found on the menu as main entrée options. Guests twenty one years and older may take part of the Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience on Saturday afternoons where they will have the opportunity to sample five wine pairings.
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Guests can find Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Café, a Cajun inspired restaurant, in the Downtown Disney District. The restaurant offers a two story dining experience with indoor and patio seating. The restaurant is made up of antique looking décor with a large wrought-iron balcony and indoor courtyard. The relaxed Louisiana vibe gives guests a dining experience with both flavor and flair. The brunch and lunch menus consist of a wide range of starters, specialties, and entrees, including barbeque shrimp and grits, jambalaya pasta, Reuben sandwich, and blackened chicken macaroni and cheese. Guests will find catfish, bacon wrapped barbeque meat loaf, southern fried chicken, and many other delicious additions on their menu for dinner. Reservations are recommended.
Steakhouse 55
Another highly elegant dining option is Steakhouse 55, found only at Disneyland Hotel. This classically decorated restaurant takes guests back to old Hollywood with a signature Disney touch. The dining room is decorated with pictures of Walt Disney himself, hardwood tables and chair settings, and elegant light fixtures. As a four star American steakhouse, guests can expect to be served only the best cuisine. Breakfast includes varieties of porridge, benedicts, French toast, and more basic dished such as omelets and chicken and waffles. Dinner consists of true steakhouse entrees such as prime rib, lobster tail, lamb chops, and of course many different cuts of steak. It is suggested to make reservations in advance, although guests may stop by the lounge freely.
Storytellers Café
If your party is looking for a character dining experience with amazing fare, look no further than Storytellers Café. During breakfast and brunch, Chip and Dale will join guests, as well as other Disney favorites that can be difficult to find elsewhere. The restaurant is buffet style in the morning, allowing a little more flexibility when dining with little ones. Lunch and dinner are not available as character dining, and guests are given a menu rather than a buffet bar. The dining room is made up of natural wood, portraying it an outdoorsy feel. Paintings, tiled murals, large fireplaces, and woodcarvings fill the walls. Storytellers Café is located through the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged, especially for character dining for breakfast and brunch.
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* Special thanks to Lexsie Ditter for writing this article!